Reading and Writing Programs for all ages

Reading and Writing Programs at the Brandon Public Library

Preschoolers:

First up, we have Baby Time. This fun, casual program is designed for infants (under 18 months) and their caregivers. Running for four consecutive Tuesdays from 10:15 to 10:45 am, Baby Time consists of simple rhymes, bounces, and activities. A library staff member gently leads caregivers through the program. The dates are January 9th, 16th, 23rd, and 30th.

Next up: Toddler Time. For ages 18-36 months, Toddler Time offers a friendly and flexible space where children are introduced to simple rhymes and concepts. Children will also develop their motor skills with finger plays, felt stories, and action songs. Every Toddler Time session finishes with a craft. The program runs from 10:15 to 10:45 am on Thursdays: February 8th, 15th, and 22nd, and March 1st. Caregivers are asked to stay in the room with their children.

Following Toddler Time, we have two Storytime programs. Our standard Storytime, for ages 3-5 years, takes place on Wednesdays: February 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th. On each of these dates, we have one session from 10:15 – 11:00 am, and another from 2:15 – 3:00 pm. Similar to Toddler Time, Storytime consists of stories and rhymes, followed by a craft to take home. It’s optional whether or not caregivers wish to remain in the room.

Pajama Time, our other Storytime, is open to ages 2-5 years. Following the same format as the daytime session, Pyjama Time takes place Thursday evenings from 6:15 – 6:45, on February 8th, 15th, and 22nd, and March 1st. Children are welcome to wear pyjamas and bring a favourite stuffy.

School Aged:

The Youth Book Club, for ages 8-12, continues in 2018. We meet once a month to discuss a different book, and enjoy related activities. Meetings are held the fourth Thursday of the month, from 4:30 – 5:30 pm. Our first read, to be discussed at the January 25th meeting, is Three Times Lucky, by Sheila Turnage. Kids can sign up for all four winter/spring sessions (January, February, March, and April), or only for the months that interest them.

Also a returning favourite, Youth Creative Writing will be offered again in the New Year. Youth (8-12 years) meet once a week to enjoy a wide range of writing activities, exploring character, setting, plot, and dialogue. Writing will take place right there in the room, with the option of sharing work aloud with the group. Meetings will take place on Tuesdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm on January 23rd and 30th, and February 6th and 13th.

Teens:

Teen Creative Writing also makes a return appearance. As with Youth Writing, teens (ages 13 – 18) will be guided through a series of writing exercises each week, with the option of sharing their work aloud with the group. Meetings will take place on Thursdays from 4:30 to 5:30 pm on January 24th and 31st, and February 7th and 14th.

Adults:The Brandon Library is pleased to offer not one, not two, but three adult book clubs, meeting the first, second, and third Monday of each month, from 7:00 – 9:00 pm. The groups read a mixture of fiction and non-fiction. Sometimes everyone in the group reads the same book; sometimes we pick a theme or an author and run with that for a month. Each group decides as a whole what they want to read each month. Monthly discussions are facilitated by a library staff member.

We also offer two creative writing programs. The first, the Library Creative Writing Group, is facilitated by Assistant Librarian Danielle Hubbard. This is a workshop program, where participants submit pieces of writing they would like feedback on, and then as a group offer comments and suggestions on each other’s work. We meet on Thursday evenings from 7:00 – 9:00 pm, every other week for a total of six meetings: February 1st and 15th; March 1st, 15th, and 29th; and April 12th. No previous writing experience is required. The first meeting, on February 1st, will be an introductory meeting from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, followed by a writing workshop led by Regina novelist Melanie Schnell.

Our Memoir Writing program, brand new this year, is offered in partnership with the Southwest Branch of the Manitoba Genealogical Society (MGS). This program will meet once monthly, from 1:30 – 3:30 pm on Thursdays: March 8th, April 12th, and May 10th. Led by a member of MGS, participants will be given a series of writing prompts each month, and will write in class. Themes will include memory, family history, and personal life story. Again, no previous writing experience is required, and it’s not necessary to have a piece of writing already on the go.

Finally, the Library is pleased to offer two casual drop-in programs: Stitching, and Scrabble. Stop by the Library Meeting Room any Tuesday between 2:00 and 3:30 pm. Bring your knitting, crocheting, embroidery, or whatever you’re working on, and join our Stitching Group for laughter, conversation, and idea-sharing. Similarly, all are welcome to drop in for a game of Scrabble any Wednesday afternoon between 1:00 and 4:00.

For more information about any of these programs, please stop by the library or phone us at 204 727-6648, or email info@wmrl.ca.

Registration for preschool through teen programs is done at the Children’s Services Desk, while adult program registration takes place at the Adult Services Desk.